Video surveillance systems have proven to be one of the most effective ways to combat internal theft and shoplifting, but retailers find surveillance systems also have some unexpected benefits. Closed circuit television (CCTV) and surveillance cameras have become the third eye for many supermarket and grocery owners, with the system helping curb even the slightest tendency to commit offence, say experts.
Installing the system has now become a trend, and even small groceries are fixing CCTVs. From cutting theft to documenting cash payments, to product delivery to employee safety to remote surveillance, many groceries in Qatar are reaping the benefits of having the system in place at their facilities.
Some shopkeepers told The Peninsula that they started using the system when they found some valuable items missing from their outlets.
“We were surprised to see empty boxes of face creams and other expensive items in the shelves,” the manager of a supermarket in Bin Mahmoud area said. “When we checked the stocks in the computer, it was showing that the item was available, but missing from the shelves. Then the management decided to install CCTV cameras to keep an eye on miscreants,” he said
More than 99 percent of the offenders give up their bad intentions merely seeing the CCTV cameras installed in the facility, according to the manager.
“Those very few who are unaware of this technology are caught in the camera. Once a video footage showed a person putting an expensive item in the box of a cheaper product to hoodwink the security and cashiers. But with the system, we are able to put a check on these misdeeds,” said the manager.
CCTV cameras have other benefits which is in fact prompting the owners of small outlets and grocery shops to fix the system. Many shopkeepers say that the system has helped them reduce any cash-related disputes, which usually put employees at risk.
“We installed CCTV cameras in our grocery basically to monitor the cash counter. This helps us to avoid brawls with customers who purposely or by mistake disagree with the cashier on payments,” said an employee of a grocery shop at Al Murra.
“Recently, a customer claimed that he paid QR500 to the cashier while buying some grocery items from the shop. Our cashier tried to convince him that he received only QR100 from the customer, but he insisted asking to check the cash shelf. Finally, we showed him the video footage recorded in CCTV camera of him handing over QR 100 to cashier, at which point he became silent and settled the matter,” said the employee.
The CCTV system has also helped foil robbery attempts helping shopkeepers recover stolen products completely.
“A few month ago, some QR50,000 in cash and many mobile scratch cards were stolen from our grocery in Old Airport area. Thanks to the CCTV camera, we recovered the entire money and cards in a record time. We lodged a complaint with the police. The police asked us to provide the video footage. The footage showed a masked man breaking the locker of the shelf at the cash counter and taking the money and cards. During the police investigation, it was revealed that the thief was our neighbour who used to frequent the shop. He must have known that we leave cash at the counter on that particular day and committed the crime,” said the shopkeeper.
Moreover, the system is a blessing for many small groceries which are usually frequented by children.
“CCTV cameras help us keep an eye on the children in the locality who used to mess up the products in the shelves. When we informed them that their activities inside the shop is being recorded they stopped the habit,” said a vendor at a grocery.
“The purpose of installing CCTV cameras is to monitor the payment at cash counter rather than to catch the shoplifters. We do not have expensive products so there are less chances of theft. The system also helped in many other ways to settle misunderstanding with customers and even suppliers. Recently, a supplier claimed to have delivered 30 cartons of juice. One was missing, I tried to convince him but failed. Then we showed the footage recorded and counted each carton. Then he admitted that it was his mistake,” said the grocer.
Meanwhile, with improved technology, many business owners are able to access the supermarket CCTV visuals on their smart phones.
“We installed about 24 cameras with two TV-screens shifting focus of cameras automatically from one column of shelves to other. The supermarket is a two storied facility so we have to install more cameras on the ground floor and upstairs as well. The system is very user-friendly and we can screen the footage at our convenience when we want according to the date and timing. The system can be connected to smart phones through internet, allowing owners to monitor the shop from anywhere in the world,” said the manager of a supermarket.
“The system has a backup storage with the capacity of 90 days. The old recorded data is removed automatically. Small shops do not require more than five cameras. It is not much expensive and readily available in the markets, with very low maintenance cost. A complete system equipped with five cameras costs about QR 2,000,” he added.
